A Key Ingredient Your Closet Might Be Missing

I won’t keep you waiting, the answer is TEXTURE!

I teamed up this month with my friend Alex @alexdaviesliving to talk through examples of texture, why its so important in a closet and how you can use it to add more interest to your outfits.

On Instagram I talked through some before and after outfit examples in stories and summarized it in this video.

Examples of texture:

denim

cotton gauze and linen

silk

leather

corduroy

knits and crochet

rattan/grass/rafia

velvet

metallics

eyelet and lace

When you’re building your wardrobe and discovering your style, texture plays a huge roll in you not getting bored of your clothes because of how it adds visual interest.

Outfit 1 - Here you can see the side by side of similar pieces. The left outfit isn’t void of texture but the right has a more textured knit and faux croc purse that catches the light and draws the eye in.

Add flare and interest to a basic color palette with texture.

Texture is a great way to make a minimalist wardrobe and neutral color palette distinct by adding visual interest. Most of my wardrobe is neutrals, it’s part of the foundation I built my closet on, but I don’t feel like any of it is boring and that’s largely due to the texture of a lot of my neutral pieces like the sweaters above.

Try adding textured versions of your favorite simple pieces!

Outfit 2 - Another textured bag addition and change of blue oxford to a heavier denim shirt.

Not sure what textures are for you? Look at your style saves to find the texture you’re drawn to.

When you’re discovering your personal style, I always recommend collecting looks that inspire and get you excited, whether it’s on Pinterest or Instagram, saving those outfits to return to, analyze, find common themes and figure out what draws you to them, can really help you name your style. For example, what colors are you drawn to, or what shapes, or do you keep saving outfits with the same type of item in it?

You can also take note of what texture you’re drawn to, what texture are you saving the most of or repeatedly catches your eye?

Outfit 3 - Here I switched out the smooth cotton for a flax linen trouser, smooth leather mules for a woven style and added a rattan bag.

Play around and explore to discover what texture you like.

Not every texture will be for you and like everything else with style, thats ok! AND If you don’t like much texture, that’s ok too.

If you want to experiment with texture - start with accessories! Add in woven details with shoes and rattan/grass bags to find out what works best with the clothes you own. And accessories will feel like less of a commitment than maybe an item of clothing would.

Outfit 4 - I wanted to give an example of how texture can bring visual interest and make what feels like an average piece (a simple black dress) and make it feel more special.

The dress on the left is a clean, and smoother silhouette compared to the black eyelet of the second dress (it’s hard to see the difference far away so heres another shot of the eyelet up close)

Be bold with texture and have fun!

Texture will allow you to be bold and take risks that you might not otherwise feel comfortable taking in a bright color or pattern. ESPECIALLY when it’s a neutral color or a color thats in your comfort zone.

I like to choose textures that feel like a quiet statement.

Quiet statements are still bold but they’re subtle. It adds intrigue and interest but it’s not loud or obnoxious. That’s my sweet spot and with trial and error, you’ll find yours!